Only 40 Days until Innersearch.. Bodhinatha and the editing team have been working on the new Innersearch Study Guide which is ready for production.

Paramacharya Palaniswami and Sannyasin Arumugaswami leave for a conference in Florida in a few days. The past few mornings the publications team has been reviewing the Keynote presentations that Arumugaswami has prepared.

One of the island charity projects we have done recently for a local group called “TeenC.A.R.E.” which helps disadvantaged youth on our island, especially those caught in the web of drugs and other addictions. Their leader, John Sotello, designed these very local bumper stickers with Palaniswami looking over his shoulder. Kumar Hunter in California lovingly donated the labor to make them. Thank you, Kumar!

Rishi Thondunathan meets with Sivakatirswami. He has been working closely with swami on the Natchintanai project.

After two years of work, seventy-two of the most popular Natchintanai will have been entered in Tamil, transliterated with literal translations and music on the internet… soon to be released…

“Thulasi,” on his first visit to the Iraivan Temple, holds the handcarved granite chain which hangs from a beam above.

In the background one can see the hand rails which border the steps leading into the sanctum and, on the left, the Badra pillars stand imposingly each side of the sanctum entrance. Each step is handcarved with one syllable (in Tamil) of the sacred mantram – “Na, Ma, Si, Va, Ya,” and handcarved above the sanctum doorway (also in Tamil) is “SIVA SIVA.”

The silpis are busy finishing and preparing the rest of the roof stones for their installation in a few days. Here Manikandan, Karupaiah and Chellaiya measure the stones for finishing touches..

Thulasidass Kalidas with Vani Rao here on pilgrimage from Cypress, Texas. Vani was encouraged by her parents to visit the Aadheenam. Vani and Thulasi attend the Houston Temple.

On the left is Pandit Sharma with his wife Saroja from Pittsburg, Calif. Pandit Sharma is well known for his work in Vedic astrology. He was here several years ago.

They pose with Vani and Thulasi and silpis Manikandan, Karupaiah, and Chellaiya.

Our four visitors stand north of the east-facing gopuram.

Here, in a peaceful meadow, is the sacred outdoor Narmada Lingam where pilgrims are welcome to perform abhishekam beside the lotus ponds.

Sadhaka Dandapani’s mother, father and young brother returned to Australia, but his older brother, Darmaguhan and newly wed wife, Shivali, have stayed on for a few days….

Shivali doing karma yoga in the temple, making Vibhuti packets.

A visit to Narmada Lingam

We wish Darma and Shivali a long and happy union!

Remnants the wind storm… a fallen trellis…

Albezia tree in the river valley below the monastery, a victim of yesterday’s powerful winds!